Heaven and Hell

Beneath a shroud in mystery 
was built a monument sublime, 
where flowed a river endlessly, 
her flow kissed the periphery, 
ignored the grasp of time. 

So great the span of her intent 
she circled mound and battlement, 
where roses sprang in every glorious hue, 
and other vibrant flowers showed their worth, 
as ancient trees spired mightily in view, 
and full proclaimed the grandeur of the earth. 

Behold the caves where lovers kept their tryst, 
close hidden where the mountain swooped and shaded, 
well guarded by the shadows and the mist, 
a devil's place where dissidents and traitors kissed 
in heated passion, and their love degraded. 
Within the gloom a roiling and a bursting, 
a waterspout came thrusting, thunder blasting, 
and spat huge molten rocks like tiny pebbles, 
the torrent coursing down, not merely dribbles, 
the raging maelstrom flinging high and over, 
revealed beneath the streaming sacred river. 
She ran through dale and covert full continuous, 
a journey never ending, until she reached the sea. 
And then was heard a cry, a call to arms, 
that neither bliss nor solitude becalms. 

Yet music from the edifice and caves 
o'ercame the sound of warring and of strife, 
reverberations and the crashing of the waves 
a mighty symphony in tune with all of life. 
the sun-bleached monument regaled in gold, 
the savage caves, calamitous and cold. 

A dream of perfect grace I once did hear, 
a lady with a voice as clear as spring, 
a vision of my destiny 
she sang of sweet eternity, 
such joyful notes didst bring! 

Would that I might recover 
the beauty of her song, 
the passion of a secret lover, 
I might labour hard and long 
to recreate this sacrament, 
its sunny climes, its frozen spa, 
a two-edged sword its testament, 
a blessing and a curse both spent, 
to dwell within that twin entombment, 
a two-tongued threat beneath Abora. 
For whosoever breaks these grounds, 
and recreates conflicting sounds, 
has tasted direst dark and Shangri-la!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

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Oyewole Avatar
December 8, 2013 at 6:36 PM
A very intelligent quill, Keith. An inspiring one indeed. Well done!
Jones Avatar
November 18, 2013 at 7:57 PM
Keith....digested this a couple times....a blessing and curse both spent..wow...everything about this great..every line is great..you're amazing
Deschler Avatar
November 4, 2013 at 2:20 PM
An epic tale! I really enjoyed this poem, and it kept my interest all the way through. You are a wonderful writer, Keith! Excellent work!...You might like my poem titled, "Forbidden Love". It has a similar theme...Thank you very much for the great comments. No one has ever given me a compliment about my name before! :)
Maverick Avatar
November 1, 2013 at 1:17 AM
Great and richley woven in sentiment, discriptive of a true utopia..' counterposed by darker undertones all in all a delightful write Kieth, hope you are well Joe..'
Carrillo Avatar
October 28, 2013 at 1:07 AM
This was a delightful piece to read. Thanks for sharing.... Lucilla
Vaso Avatar
October 27, 2013 at 9:31 PM
Hi Kieth, this is truly a masterful piece, you just keep getting better and better!
Collins Avatar
October 27, 2013 at 10:09 AM
Oh Keith - I am mystified in your magic words. So caught up in love, in tragedy, in heaven and hell I am rolling in the river, falling from the cliffs. I am sinking on a ship. So much comes to mind on this journey. I love your use of "full" such a small word but somehow powerful here. Can you shed some light on this. love, Kathy
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